Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in your house can make your life much less stressful, but if you use appliances unsafely, they might produce noticeable risks. You should protect appliances and ensure that they do not become dangers by adhering to these appliance safety tips from F&S Forest Hills Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries due to appliances. However, hazards could still happen. If an appliance breaks or malfunctions and becomes a danger, reach out to a professional appliance repair Forest Hills.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations

Kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to possible moisture or dripping water. Of course, electricity and water don’t go together, that means power cords should always be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This prevents electrocution by tripping the circuit when any inconsistencies in power arise.

If you don’t currently have GFCI outlets installed in damp areas inside of your house, it’s time to install them or call an electrician in Forest Hills. Then, for additional safety, follow the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate a home appliance is not for outdoor areas.

Wires, Electronics & Outlets Away From Damp Areas

Some appliances are specially built for outdoor use, such as barbecue grills, for example. If you use electrical appliances outside – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, power tools and others – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are dry. Weatherproof electronics can help, as do GFCI outlets with gaskets that are water-tight.

Extension Cords are Only a Temporary Option

An extension cord poses many potential risks, this includes:

The likelihood of a loose connection that can cause sparks and a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that can damage the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to water penetration that can lead to electrocution.
The potential for wires overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is used for a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for limited-time use, ensure it is the right gauge for the electrical appliance in question. The smaller the gauge, the greater the size for the wire. For instance, a basic household extension cord for a lamp could have a 16-gauge cord while a heavy-duty cord for a AC unit uses a 12-gauge wire.

The length is also crucial. The longer the extension cord, the more power is lost enroute, also known as voltage drop. Shorter cords are good for electric tools and similar outdoor equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Appliance You Purchase

It’s simple to guess that you know how to use a brand new dishwasher or washing machine without consulting the manual, but consulting the guidelines is necessary for many reasons:

You will want to find out if your home’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You may need to install a new circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about features you might not otherwise known about.
You understand whether the new appliance is intended for outdoor locations or not.

You don’t have the stress that can sometimes come from attempting to use a new appliance without instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances if You Are Not Using Them

You are able to prevent unnecessary energy usage by unplugging them when you aren’t operating them. The reason is small appliances often include LED lights, clocks and other features standby mode.

Unplug televisions, monitors, internet routers, video game consoles, cellphone chargers and more to stop unnecessary energy usage. Just remember, it’s alright to keep DVRs and similar devices plugged in to prevent missing out on their background functions.

For additional tips on using home appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair service, please contact F&S Forest Hills Appliance Repair. We can repair all popular household appliances!

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

The technician came right on time. I told the technician how the fridge stopped cooling this weekend. He explained to me what could be the issue and all of the choices I had. I decided to replace the appliance and not repair it. But I am still very impressed with F&S Forest Hills Appliance Repair and will definitely call them the next time I need appliance repair.

I've known Ken Jr. of F&S Forest Hills Appliance Repair for about 15 years now. There's no one in Queens who knows about appliances and fixing things around the house ... except maybe his dad, haha. Give them a call!